Student Contest

2026 Theme & Details

Upholding the Rule of Law:
What does seeking justice for all look like?

We are living in unprecedented times today, where the Constitution is being challenged, rule of law is being upended, and companies, universities, immigrants and other marginalized people are being demonized. If Minoru Yasui were alive today, what hopeful actions would he take for democracy, civil rights, and social justice?

Submission deadline: February 22, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST

Click Here To Submit Your Entry

“If we believe in America, if we believe in equity and democracy, if we believe in law and justice, then each of us, when we see or believe that errors are being made, has an obligation to make every effort to

correct them.”

— Minoru Yasui (1916 - 1986)

Rule of Law:

Rule of law is a principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are:

Publicly put into effect by official proclamation.
Equally enforced.
Independently made using formal official rulings.
And consistent with international human rights principles.

Source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. (n.d.). Overview – Rule of Law. U.S. Courts.

The Minoru Yasui Student Contest for middle and high school students is an art contest for youth in grades 5th – 12th. Students can express their thoughts about the prompt in a visual art piece and artist's statement. Technical arts background not required.

rule-of-law

2026 Themebook

View & Download Themebook

Themebook

Contest Resources

Resources for in the classroom, at-home, and self-guided learning.

Developed by our MYLP Student Contest Education Committee, below are some optional resources for youth, parents, teachers, and educators to help youth create their art piece and artist statement. These optional resources were developed to expand in-classroom, at-home, and/or self-guided learning.

View & Download All Resources

Special Thanks To Our Sponsor

We’re proud to announce our first-ever Minoru Yasui Student Contest sponsor — Scout Books!

Through their Scout Books Equity Alliance initiative, this Portland-based company donated beautifully branded pocket constitutions featuring our logo and a quote from Min, supporting youth civic engagement and the Student Contest! We’re grateful for their partnership in helping amplify voices for justice and equity. The pocket constitutions will be available at upcoming events — we’ll share more soon!

Presented By

Organized by the Minoru Yasui Legacy Projectin collaboration with the Japanese American Museum of Oregon, the Minoru Yasui Student Contest offers middle and high school students the opportunity to explore societal topics in connection with the legacy of Minoru Yasui, the only Oregonian to have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and who fought courageously to defend human and civil rights—and justice for all—throughout his life.